Transition

First on Russian language: a science-fiction thriller by the “Grandmaster” and “Hall of Fame” Eurocon award winner.

There is a world that has stalled between triumph and catastrophe—between the destruction of the Berlin Wall and the fall of the Twin Towers. It froze in the shadow of suicide bombers and a global financial crisis. Such a world needs a firm hand at the helm and a guiding light.

But does it need “Supervision”—an all-powerful organization with a malicious genius chairman, absolute influence, and numerous invisible “transitators” possessing astonishing powers?

Among the transitators is the mysterious Temudjin O, an unbreakable killer traveling between the peaks of Nepal, a Victorian London version, and dark palaces of Venice under snow; Edrian Kabbish, a restless greedy merchant from the City; and the nameless faceless executioner known as the Philosopher, who moves between time zones with ominous ease.

There are also those who doubt “Supervision”—such as the queen of bandits, Mrs. Malverhill, roaming the worlds and recruiting rebels; and Patient 8262, sedated and simulating madness in a forgotten hospital room, hiding her terrible past.

The world needs help, but does it need “Supervision”? That is another question.

Finalist for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. Nominated for the Locus and Hugo awards. Nominated for the German Kurd Lasswitz Award. Finalist for the Finnish award “The Wandering Star.”

“Extraordinarily inventive… A delightful thriller, a classic story of the struggle between good and evil, which the author uses to search for answers to serious moral and philosophical questions—but as usual, in his typically easy and darkly humorous manner… A book that makes you look at the world around you differently, while still remaining genuinely captivating.” — Independent on Sunday

“‘Transition’ is Banks in his wild, vivid, dizzying style.” — Financial Times

“Iain Banks has an amazing fluidity and dizzying imagination.” — Daily Mail

“A tangled mastery tale with a brilliant concept. Memorable characters. ‘Transition’ is full of energy and dark humor.” — Sunday Business Post

“An easy-to-read, gripping sci-fi thriller.” — Sunday Herald

“A thrilling futuristic fairy tale that has something to say right here and now.” — Metro

“‘Transition’ will spin your head with brilliant oddities.” — io9.com